Stop Approving Hill Clearing In Cameron Highlands Group Urges Govt

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Environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has urged the government to stop any further approvals of clearings for all kinds of projects in Cameron Highlands.
In a statement today, group president Meenakshi Raman asserted the pertinence for a thorough review of the approvals given in the past.
“We call for a taskforce to be set up to conduct the review and make public the findings.
“Immediate steps must also be taken to rehabilitate the risky slopes and for preventive action to avert future landslides and slope failures, including by the federal authorities,” Meenakshi (above) said.
This comes after a landslide hit Batu 54, Blue Valley, Cameron Highlands earlier today.
According to a report by Bernama, two people were killed and three others are feared to be buried alive in the 2.40am incident. All five victims are Myanmar nationals aged between 25 and 56.
While the cause of the landslide is yet to be determined, Meenakshi said SAM is gravely concerned that hill clearings in Cameron Highlands for all kinds of projects including for agriculture and construction development could be responsible for the landslide-prone highlands, especially during heavy rains.
In fact, Meenakshi pointed out that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had directed a review of all projects in Cameron Highlands in January last year.
“His Highness had voiced concerns about the widespread clearing of hill land for agriculture and other projects and had called for a review of all approvals while adding that this was enough!
“Clearly, it appears that this directive from the country’s highest authority does not seem to have been heeded,” Meenakshi said.
Therefore, she said the Pahang state and authorities must be hauled up again for allowing so much over-development in what is a highly environmentally sensitive area, especially when climate change impacts are more apparent now, with unprecedented rainfall intensities. - Mkini

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